Monday, January 19, 2009

Dodgers Boast Payroll Flexibility

Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com has some good news:

With or without Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers are in an unusually flexible position. Their payroll is in the low $70 million range, according to internal projections, even when including the yet-to-be-determined salaries of the team's four arbitration-eligible players — pitcher Jonathon Broxton, catcher Russell Martin and outfielders Andre Ethier and Jason Repko. [...]

If the Dodgers fail to sign Ramirez, they could turn to a more inexpensive free agent such as Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu. Or, they could simply start the season with an outfield of Ethier, Matt Kemp and Juan Pierre.

Like many teams, the Dodgers believe that trade bargains will emerge if the economic crisis leads to declining attendance and financially strapped teams need to dump payroll.

First, Repko just agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract, so make that "the low $70.5 million range."

Second, you might want to tack on an additional $10 million to that figure. Take a look at some other estimates of the Dodgers' 2009 payroll:

Dodger Thoughts $81,770,000
True Blue LA $79,900,000

Be it $70 million or $80 million, this new-found flexibility means one thing: Manny will be the last piece of exciting roster news until the trade deadline of July 31. Enjoy the suspense while you can!

8 comments:

QuadSevens said...

Is she single?

Orel said...

Not only that, Q7, but she's desperately seeking a poker-playing Dodgers fan. Preferably someone who looks good in a suit. Know anyone?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Damn. I'm not tall enough.

Steve Sax said...

Not tall enough for what?

QuadSevens said...

Sweet! I know a guy that fits the profile! Me!

Orel said...

Only one thing, Q7: She hates Pisces.

QuadSevens said...

Damn! Well, sometimes I'm an aquarius. It all depends on where you look.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Sax forgot to bring his imagination yesterday.